5

Conclusions

Optimism and related constructs have been studied a great deal over the past two decades, in a large number of behavioral contexts. They
have proven to be very useful in predicting behavior, emotional responses, coping tendencies, and adequacy of adjustment to difficult life
circumstances. They are often referred to as resource or resilience variables, because they represent the presence of motivational properties that permit people
to sustain and even thrive under adversity.